Circus family's patriarch marks 80th birthday

Friday, 01 June 2012 Uxomoyi isiVuba | Published in: Entertainment

In this 1974 photo, Brian Dewhurst performs as the clown Brian Andro with the Circus Krone in Munich, Germany. After playing a clown for the last 60 years in various acts around the globe, Dewhurst, now 80 years old, performs as clown Brian Le Petit in Cirque du Soleil's Mystere in Las Vegas and is the upscale circus' oldest performer. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Nicky Dewhurst) Credits: AP

Entertainment

LAS VEGAS (AP) — For Brian Dewhurst, the only unexpected thing about his life's devotion is that people are surprised he is still doing it.

The celebrated acrobat and clown is the oldest performer employed by Cirque du Soleil, the upscale Canadian circus with 22 shows across the globe.

Last week Dewhurst marked his 80th birthday as he would any other work day — by starring in two back-to-back performances of "Mystere" at the Treasure Island hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

Dewhurst says he never demanded a big fuss on his birthdays.

But his friends and family had something different in mind. They threw him a surprise party and urged the audience to sing "Happy Birthday to You."

"Mystere" follows a babbling baby as it encounters contortionists, dancers, clowns and acrobats.